Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has described Iran's rotating presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) as a proper opportunity to administer justice across the globe. Mehmanparast said that Iran's 3-year presidency over the NAM is also a chance to further activate and revitalize this great movement, given its capability to influence numerous political, regional and international equations. The Iranian official referred to the NAM as an organization which has shown great support for and cooperated with Iran regarding Tehran's nuclear energy issue, adding that in different stages, the movement has defended Iran's inalienable right to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Commenting on the criticisms over the invitation of several heads of states to the summit, Mehmanparast said “International summits follow certain protocols and the host country is obliged to invite all members." He also said that due to certain developments and political issues, some countries may not attend the summit or might take part in the meeting at different levels. The Iranian official further said that almost all of the invitations for participation in the forthcoming NAM summit have been delivered to respective heads of state. Iran will host the 16th summit of the NAM member states between August 26 and 31. The Islamic Republic will also assume the rotating presidency of the movement for three years during the Tehran summit. NAM, an international organization with 120 member states and 17 observer countries, is considered as not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. The organization was founded in the former Yugoslavia in 1961. Member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement represent nearly two-thirds of the UN members and contain 55 percent of the world population. NAM's purpose, as stated in the Havana Declaration of 1979, is to ensure "the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries."
